Take pride in being like Bill – and you will ultimately succeed…

One evening last week, I found myself sat in front of the TV watching the ‘Pride of Britain’ awards. Among what was, of course, a very worthy roll of attendees, there was one particular chap who stood out for me, and perfectly embodies the type of spirit and determination I often refer to here in the ‘Lowedown’…

The chap in question was Bill Lucas, who happens to be Britain’s oldest living Olympian. Bill, who will be 100 on his next birthday, would have competed as a 5000m runner in the 1940 and 1944 Olympics but instead spent the time serving his country in the RAF flying 81 missions as a bomber pilot (and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in the process).

So, what was this fine chap’s attitude to the small matter of a World War getting in the way of his Olympic ambitions? Well, in his own words “Hitler deprived me of my best athletic years, so what did I do? I went out and bombed him.”

Bill did eventually compete at the 1948 Olympics at nearly 32, having well and truly kicked adversity right where it hurts and carrying on despite what you would agree was something of a sizeable obstacle. Now if an obstacle the size of the Third Reich didn’t deter this chap from achieving what he wanted, then I don’t think any of us have too much to complain about.

Deciding that you will not be swayed, that you will carry on regardless of what gets thrown at you is the key element to building the type of unshakeable character that will more often than not, ultimately succeed at whatever you put their mind to.